Sexist Memes: Funny or Not?

the meme in question

While I understand that there is humour in provocation, this meme (the picture to the left) that’s been making the rounds on websites like 9gag and We Know Memes made me throw up in my mouth a little. Although I love these websites to death, and I think the political potential of memes is huge, these websites (9gag in particular) feature so much overt sexism that I often get mixed feelings. I think 9gag may be conditioning women to think that sexism is funny and perfectly acceptable.

Honestly, sexist jokes — such as the “woman-in-kitchen” variety — never used to offend me that much. I didn’t think that they really had much to do with women, just like yo-mama jokes have nothing to do with mothers. …

An Interview with Glennis McMurray

Glennis McMurray (cred: Anya Garrett)

Glennis McMurray is the founder and editor of the website, G.L.O.C. (TheGLOC.net) the first large-scale blog by and for all the Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy. Glennis is a seasoned musical improvisor having started and starred in the acclaimed I Eat Pandas (Time Out New York Critics Pick, ECNY Award-winner: Best Improv Group). She can now be seen performing with the NY cast of Baby Wants Candy every Saturday night at the SoHo Playhouse. In January 2011, her solo musical Disco Balls: Into the Light debuted at the Charleston Comedy Festival, and she was recently seen as Coach Betts in Half Straddle’s production of In The Pony Palace/Football at the Bushwick Starr. In addition to the two variety shows she produces, Dream Role and …

How To Be A Funny Feminist

“I’m really surprised you like the movie Anchorman,” my friend said, raising their eyebrows at me once more while I proclaim that I do, indeed, love lamp. “It’s not a very feminist film.”

As a woman who wants to one day write for comedy, takes comedy seriously, and is an avid fan of comedy TV shows, films, and movies, I’m often told I can’t be a feminist and be funny. “Humor writing is a guys’ world,” people are constantly emphasizing. “You’ve gotta learn to think like a guy.”

Look. I’m well aware that dudes dominate the comedy scene and that I’m fighting a bit of an uphill battle. But does that mean that I’m unable to have a sense of humor?

Get Back in the Kitchen

I'm not getting back in the kitchen

The age old joke along the lines of ‘woman, get back to the kitchen,’ is pretty much thrown about on the internet and in real life. As a seventeen year old girl, I’ve come into contact with boys who think it’s the funniest thing ever to tell me to ‘make them a sandwich’ or ‘do the ironing.’ Only last Saturday a boy I’d just met told me to get him a beer and when I gave him a scathing look, told me he was joking.

I do, surprisingly, have a sense of humour. I laugh at things that are funny, I like controversial humour and I’m not easily offended. Honestly, it’s not the fact that boys think it’s okay to make jokes out …